Sandakan : St Mark’s Church, some 20 km from the town center had  four events happening on the same day, Saturday April, 17th 2010.

The Kadazan Dusun Committee of St Mark, convened a meeting, chaired by Adriana Sampog to discuss on matters pertaining to the preparation of the upcoming Parish level ‘Pesta Kaamatan’ scheduled to be held in Our Lady of Fatima’s Church, Beluran on 2nd May 2010. According to Adriana, members of the local community are gearing up for the ‘big do’ on the said day.

The newly established Sub Parish Pastoral Committee held its inaugural meeting after the ‘Pesta Kaamatan’ meeting. Demeh Koyopo, the new Chairman of the Pastoral Committee said that the members deliberated at length on the current pastoral issues and had come out with a pastoral plan to suit the local need. Among which are catechism classes and reaching out to the migrant workers.

After the Pastoral Committee meeting, members together with representatives of the various communities had a farewell fellowship lunch for Fr Paul Lo, who is scheduled to be transferred to the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu at the end of the month. He is expected to leave for Rome, sometime in June, to take up a four year course in scripture

Demeh Koyopo, on behalf of the local community, took the opportunity to thank Fr Paul for his five years of dedicated and committed service in shepherding the people of God.. He called on the people to continue to pray for his success.

Fr Paul, in his farewell speech, thanked the local community for their support given him during his five years stint in the Cathedral Parish. He asked to be forgiven, had he unintentionally offended anyone during the duration of his service. He, being a strong promoter and supporter of the environment, asked the parishioners to be present during the monthly adoration at St Mary’s Cathedral on April 22nd 2010 as it coincides with World Earth Day.
Later, at noon time and at the same Church, Deacon David A Garaman baptized and presented certificates of baptism to some 48 infants.

It was indeed a hectic day for the community at St Mark’s Church.

dospo